Zombies devour Peachland in new book

If you've ever wondered what would happen if the undead took over the streets of Peachland, then you'll want to pick up a copy of the new book 'Zombie Angst.'

Photo: Contributed

Author Jim Couper

The novel, a first, by local travel writer Jim Couper tells the story of Mort, a resurrected, thinking-impaired former school teacher who dreams of reuniting with his wife and kids months after he tumbled from his kayak and drowned in Okanagan Lake.

Couper says it was an easy decision to set the story of the undead in the Okanagan.

"I guess because I know it and I thought what the heck it might as well be somewhere local instead of an imaginary place... and Peachland fit the bill."

While writing about the Okanagan is something that Couper is no stranger to, writing a zombie novel was not a turn he ever envisioned his career taking.

"It's the last thing I would've thought I'd write," he said when explaining his decision to sit down and start writing four years ago.

“If I had seen the zombie revival coming I would have typed much faster. The thing I like about the zombie horror genre is that it is wide open. Unlike vampires, aliens or Frankenstein monsters, there are no literary precedents. Although zombies have a place in African and Haitian folklore their American popularity came from movies such as White Zombie and Night of the Living Dead.”

To launch his first novel, Couper will be signing copies of the book and answering question at Chapters in Orchard Park Mall on March 15, from 1 to 3 p.m.

He also has an event planned for March 19, at 7 p.m. at Pulp Fiction Coffeehouse,1598 Pandosy St in Kelowna.

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